Finally, feed your guinea pig high quality hay and pellets throughout its pregnancy. ", needed available in a clear, concise manner, super simple, and now I feel confident in my unexpected blessing. Cesarean sections are rarely successful in guinea pigs even when performed by a veterinarian who has experience with guinea pigs. But anywhere in the range of 59 days to 72 days is regarded as normal. These pups may die within a few days of birth, or may live for several years. But as blissful as it is for a mother to give birth to children, it is also stressful and painful.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-box-4','ezslot_3',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-box-4-0'); So, as your guinea pigs are part of your family, you should take care of them just as well as you would take care of a pregnant sister or wife or mother! To tell if your guinea pig is pregnant, start by observing her eating habits to gauge whether she's eating and drinking more than usual. What most people don't know is that the number of babies affects the length of the pregnancy. But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. The intercourse with an unneutered male guinea pig causes pregnancy in a female obviously. Even a slight mishandling could lead to enormous amounts of pain. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 324,740 times. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4','ezslot_23',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. Our professionals are qualified to care for your guinea pig. If you suspect that your female guinea pig may be pregnant, then it is best to consult your veterinarian. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. But even if your locality has cold weather, it is still worth enough to take your guinea pig to the vet. Not only does it scare her, but also causes pain due to the pressure put by our arms. They eat solid food right after being born, unlike human babies. It's important to remember you have The Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando in your corner if you feel like your guinea pig is unwell at any point during her pregnancy. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages Week By Week - Pregnancy Nicky Dalere (@NickyDalere) August 29, 2016 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js August 29, 2016 at 01:30AM Any one else has pets that you can't pet or hold ? Not all guinea pigs are capable of handling the stress of a pregnancy. Guinea pigs arrive at sexual development early, some when they are only five weeks or a month and a half old. After about two or three weeks of pregnancy, the baby guinea pigs can be physically felt. It could be a disease causing the accumulation of excess metabolic products.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Either way, one thing is pretty clear: You have to take your guinea pig to the vet. Anywhere between 59-72 days. The labor: You can hear distinct cries of her before she goes into labor. AmberCalzone Well-known Member. This could increase her stress and affect her eating and drinking habits. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. There is a high maternal mortality rate for guinea pigs (about 20%) as they are vulnerable to complications and illnesses such as toxemia. Enjoy! Commonly, their size would be ranging from eight to ten inches. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. To find out how to house your guinea pig during pregnancy and how to prepare for it to give birth, keep reading! Neutering a male is generally easier than spaying a female. You may think a little touch or petting couldnt hurt. And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. But make sure your handling of her is minimal. If the other sow eats it, their own pregnancy may be induced. What is the one thing that could get a guinea pig pregnant? Also called as parturition in scientific terms, the birth, of course, is the part where the litter is delivered. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. Male guinea pigs will continue to mount pregnant sows, which can cause stress or pain to your pregnant sow late in the pregnancy (after the 50-day mark). By gently running your hand on your guinea pig, you can feel bumps and lumps, which could be because of one of two reasons. Vitamin C is highly unstable and breaks down within 8 weeks of the manufacturing date. Some of you might think of this question as absurd. You need to understand that your guinea pig cannot bear the pain of her pregnancy when she gets handled by you. Its just the same in guinea pigs. If you are a woman reading this I bet that you are thinking thank god there aint anything like that in humans!. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. The kidney, bladder, or even fecal pellets can all be easily mistaken for fetuses. I really enjoyed that it was stressed that the babies don't need to be with dad at, "I love guinea pigs, and when I get one, and then another one, they will probably mate. I guess it is not too difficult to believe that hormone levels go crazy during pregnancy irrespective of which animal it is. Do not handle her all the time like before. Support wikiHow by In other words, you will be provided with a visual of your guinea pig's abdomen and the doctor can then confirm or disconfirm a pregnancy. Cavy Slave. Then I followed the steps that say how to take, "My guinea pig was acting strange. Menu Clubul de antreprenoriat. o [ canine influenza] Pups from small litters are usually bigger than pups from large litters. A female can give birth to up to 5 litters per year. But it contains more than necessary amounts for a regular guinea pig. But pregnancy is far from straightforward for guinea pigs. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. The Merck Veterinary Manual was first published in 1955 as a service to the community. Ammonia irritates the lungs of pigs and will predispose the pregnant mother to lung infections. Research source If you let your guard down after one litter being born, without watching the females interaction with un-neutered males, the mother who just delivered a litter could get knocked up once again! So you should. Between 1 and 8 guinea pig babies with 4 being the most common number of guinea pigs per litter. If I felt my pregnant guinea pig's belly and caused her a miscarriage, what would the signs be? This article has 20 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. But that does not mean a complete compromise of their hygiene. Check to see that the guinea pig is eating and drinking; extra vitamin C may also be helpful. Read more about this in our helpful guide. You vet may also be able to hear the piglets' heartbeats in the sow's abdomen. Facultatea Business si Turism. Research source Starting from how to know if your guinea pig is pregnant, to how to care for a pregnant guinea pig, to all characteristics of the gestation period, to the birth of the litter, I will lead you through every little detail of guinea pig pregnancy in the upcoming sections of this post! Your vet will instruct you with all the necessary tests to be taken. they were both female and have been living together. Rodent and rabbit medicine. Female guinea pigs (sows) typically mature sexually at 2 months of age (55 to 70 days). But when pregnant, the mother needs to enrich herself for the pain she is about to endure and should provide nutrition for her babies. At birth, baby guinea pigs can weigh between 2.1 and 4.2 oz (60 and 120 grams) and have an average size of 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Moreover, neutering does not take immediate effect. It is often difficult to find homes with caring and responsible pet owners for young guinea pigs. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. So having their cagemates with them could be a good choice. Mother strains for 15 minutes without producing a pup. This is when the single-celled zygote develops into full baby guinea pigs by cell division. Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages - YouTube 0:00 / 2:14 Guinea Pig Pregnancy Stages 64,851 views Jul 6, 2014 550 Dislike Share Save Squishy Bubbles 5.62K subscribers Are you wondering if your. A few weeks later I noticed she was getting bigger, I was curious to see if she was pregnant. Because yeah, more the number, more the time to nourish them, sounds logical. The average period of pregnancy is approximately 65 days. Just because they are the pups of a familiar guinea pig, this does not mean that they will be accepted immediately. The estrous cycle length is 16 days. Feeling the abdomen needs to be done by a professional because it is easy to mistake the bladder, kidney, or even an enlarged ovary for a foetus. 8 weeks after birth the guinea pig pups double their size by adding 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). Quite a shock, since we thought. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Another sign is a hike in food intake. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. But now that they are arrested in your home, you must be ready to step up and take responsibility. If you are not certain that the pups are weaned at 21 days, the males should be removed anyway to prevent pregnancy. The normal pregnancy period of a woman is 40 weeks. Not knowing how to care for your furry pal when shes pregnant makes the whole thing scary, while knowing all about it makes the news heartening. A pregnant sow will begin to drink and eat more as the pregnancy advances. But that does not mean that you should not give them access to outdoors. For example, carrots contain lots of oxalate. The placenta contains hormones which can trigger contractions. Of course, all these are high school zoology concepts. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. An ultrasound scan can visualize exactly what the bumps are and confirm a pregnancy. The other? Right? This happens not only in human pregnancy but also in the case of animals. Alfalfa hay is great for pregnant, nursing and young guinea pigs but the calcium content is too high for normal guinea pigs as a build-up of calcium can cause bladder stones. Shortly after giving birth, guinea pigs begin a fresh estrous cycle that lasts only about half a day. To prevent high stress levels, which can lead to disease, keep your guinea pig away from direct sunlight. As if that is not bad news enough, even mothers suffer death immediately after delivery because of malnutrition. Be very careful if you need to hold or handle a pregnant guinea pig. If the weight does not pick up, or a pup does not improve with additional feeding, consult the vet. But to a pregnant guinea pig, it does! Avoid over-feeding So, this post is that fine line between scary and heartening, because it has information on everything you need to know about guinea pig pregnancy. Do not crowd the mother have only one person in the room, but another on standby to make calls if necessary. In long-haired breeds, it gets even worse. o [pig guinea] By using our site, you agree to our. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. This article has been viewed 447,279 times. Never offer the same vegetable two days running. Right. Males born in the same litter are brothers, right? The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. If they do survive the first week they have a shorter than normal life expectancy and will require large amounts of medical care throughout their lives. Alfalfa hay is great for pregnant, nursing and young guinea pigs but the calcium content is too high for normal guinea pigs as a build-up of calcium can cause bladder stones. Remove any other pregnant sows. It is not recommended to breed guinea pigs. So, better to be overly cautious than to be negligent.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-3','ezslot_22',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-3-0'); Make sure you monitor your guinea pigs weight every week. "I had a male guinea pig for about a year and a half. Be aware that young guinea pigs will begin to eat more as they grow anyway. Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. Females can have estrous or fertile periods at any time of the year, but they are most common in the spring. At what age can you neuter your guinea pig? At this stage, you have to feed your developing guinea pigs with pellets specially formulated for them. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. To learn more about what to expect during the pregnancy, read on! X ask a friend or neighbour to check on her. Well, they can be described as an epitome of cuteness! He never thought of the idea that his pet was pregnant. So, in this article, let's see how a fetus will change week by week to become a baby. If you feel something and you're not certain what it is, then consult your veterinarian. The period of time between getting pregnant and the birth is called the gestation period. While your sow might bear from one to six pups or even more, the average litter size is 3. But that isnt the case in guinea pigs. Yeah, tests are very very important to take appropriate care of your pregnant guinea pig. While their lactation is essential for some nutrients that cannot be provided in the babies diet, baby guinea pigs are noticed to be able to survive even without their mothers milk. The legacy of this great resource continues as the Merck Veterinary Manual in the US and Canada and the MSD Vet Manual outside of North America. It is entirely possible for a male pup to impregnate its mother or sisters. This is the period when young guinea pigs will develop bonds with humans and learn to accept being held. You can crop their hair to maintain hygiene, even if you cannot cut it perfectly. Support wikiHow by Of course, much much cuter! Symptoms include refusal to eat, lethargy, and rapid weight loss. % of people told us that this article helped them. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',122,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-netboard-2-0');Well, not too many similarities are shared by guinea pigs and humans in their pregnancy. Note that she may chew the cardboard, so have extra boxes or use a wicker or thick-plastic box. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. An unneutered male guinea pig! But doctors these days make the surgery sound like the only choice so that they could fill their pockets. As a general rule, guinea pigs do not respond well to anaesthetic so if it is possible, separating the sexes is a safer option. Make any changes as early as possible in the pregnancy, when the stress will have less of an effect on the sow. :)", understand just in case for the future as well, thanks so much for the info. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. If they do mate, I will now. It is not enough if you understand that. ", care of my guinea pig and I am so sure that she is healthy and will have my little baby friends soon! If pregnant, your guinea pig may have a single piglet or up to 3-4. With your non-dominant hand hold her steady around the shoulders, with her head facing away from you. If you need to transport your guinea pig, never pick her up by her stomach as it can harm the unborn guinea pigs and the mother herself. My guinea pig is a female American guinea pig. The mothers weight will vary for a few days whilst she re-adjusts but should settle within five days. So, there are obvious signs that you can look for to identify pregnancy in your guinea pigs. You should absolutely, Alfalfa hay is rich in calcium and protein. Maturing guinea pigs. If at any point her weight begins to fall or if she begins to show signs of illness, consult a vet immediately. How long is a guinea pig pregnant for? Giving them their favorite toys and treats. However, both males and females can mature and be fertile even earlier. WRONG! The entire span of 40 weeks of the pregnancy is divided into three trimesters. For the first week, the babies do not actually rely on the mother for food. Things to RememberAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy and Breeding, Terms and Conditions for Pocket pet central, Keeping them in the rooms of your home where loud noises cant be heard, Guinea pigs tend to get stressed when they do not have a pattern in their food, drinking, and outdoor timings. The average Guinea pig gestation period is 68 days with a range of 59 - 72 days. Has She Interacted With an Unneutered Male? Make sure hay is freely available at all times, and provide in a large ball the guinea pig can burrow in. I didnt know whether to hit him in the face for the negligence or to feel sorry for his loss. All animals, for example, tend to eat more when it's cold, when they're having a growth spurt, and when they're suffering from certain illnesses. The mother has a single pair of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age. Sows that reach adulthood without a prior pregnancy may not be able to deliver their young normally. Maybe in the woods, they can take care of themselves. Breeding a female guinea pig for the first time after she reaches 8 months of age can be very dangerous because of the normal stiffening of the pubic symphysis (a joint of tough fibrous cartilage between the 2 pubic bones of the pelvis) that occurs when the female reaches adulthood. Joined Mar 1, 2014 . Pocketpetcentral.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Remember guinea pigs are social animals and should be kept in groups, so if you own both a boar and a sow make sure to provide company of the same sex for both of them. If there are any signs that the pregnant sow is not getting on with another guinea pig, do not hesitate to remove the other guinea pig, but leave the pregnant sow in the hutch/cage she is in. But when she is, you have no choice but to give nothing less than the perfect. no im not breeding i thought my guinea pig was a boy but he was actually a she and now shes pregnant . After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine. Things to Watch Out for During Guinea Pig Pregnancy If you suspect that your guinea pig is experiencing any of these during gestation, try to take them to a veterinarian to get diagnosed properly. The more the number of baby guinea pigs, the shorter is the period of pregnancy. How many babies do guinea pigs get per litter? . It is worth noting that female guinea pigs can get pregnant at four weeks old. [1] Regardless of how pregnancy occurs, the average guinea pig gestation period is 65 days. Grooming requires a lot of handling. Here, we investigated the effects of parental age, parity, and . Keeping a clean hutch will prevent a build-up of ammonia from urine. So, the first step in knowing if your guinea pig is pregnant? Approved. They may prescribe treatment that includes injections of dextrose solutions, steroids and calcium, which may or may not be effective. Stage #3. It is not very different from human pregnancy. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. If the sow becomes uninterested in food contact your veterinarian immediately. So follow a routine. Then, the ultrasound probe is placed on skin and emits a high-frequency sound that is inaudible to human ears. Newborn guinea pigs weigh about 3.5 ounces (100 g). Male guinea pigs (boars) usually mature sexually and can mate as young as 2-3 months of age. Then the male started trying to jump over the female. We took her to vet for check up.. This way you can keep track of her weight in order to determine any patterns of weight gain that may be indicative of a pregnancy. The whole pregnancy period. Another weird yet interesting way to find out pregnancy in guinea pigs is their smell! Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. Common pregnancy complications include metabolic imbalance, difficult birthing, and postpartum issues like seizures. They belong to the family Cavidae, which contains 14 species of animals commonly known as cavies and Patagonian hares (or maras). o [alopecia OR hair loss ], , BVSc, DVP, DACLAM, DABVP(ECM), The Kenneth S Warren Institute. Find out the Stages Of Pregnancy By Week. You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. What are the Similarities and Differences Beetwen Humans and Guinea Pigs in Pregnancy? For different stages of progress, there are different medicines, food supplies, the quantity of food and water, and more! Once, I had a friend who didnt care about a drastic weight change in his female guinea pig. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. Since guinea pigs attain sexual maturity as early as 6 weeks in their life, even young guinea pigs are bound to get pregnant. Due to several factors including age, weight, other diseases, nutritive health, etc., females could be inefficient of nourishing and/or delivering the litter. If it is pregnancy, your veterinarian will give you an appraisal of the progress and give you advice on how to care for your piggy. Just because they can get pregnant again, doesnt mean that it wont have adverse effects on their well being, not just physically but also emotionally. We want to provide you with all the information for your furry little pals! Next, check your guinea pig's weight, since her weight will almost double during pregnancy. Then they started to do an unusual sound, which I suspected was a mating call. The minute you are sure your guinea pig is pregnant, make sure you get it to your vets attention. This prevents an excess of one particular mineral that might be contained in that vegetable. When a guinea pig is about to give birth, any male guinea pigs near her will gather around and try to become the dominant male in order to both protect the female and mate with her. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We kept a close eye on Theo as her due date approached. Sows who are too old are at a greater risk of the pelvis not being 'elastic' enough to expand during the birthing process. Guinea Pig Vomit: Everything You Need To Know. Try to find a vet who specializes in rodents and other small animals, rather than just a generic vet. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. Laber-Laird & Flecknell. Which Can Include: Being vigilant about their activities is vital to their well-being. Use for phrases Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. So you wouldnt have to worry about them running away to places they are not supposed to go. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. Normally, it wouldnt. It goes without saying that they need emotional stability during pregnancy when they are drowning in fluctuating hormone levels. Guinea Pig Foot Spurs {Everything You Need To Know Here}, Basic QuestionsAbout Guinea Pig Pregnancy. Well, I guess this is the most important section of this post. Reduce handling to a minimum and don't handle her within two weeks of the birth. References But that should be done only when you are present to monitor. Most pregnant guinea pigs do not move as actively as their normal days. However, guinea pigs often do not react well to surgery, anesthesia, or being kept in unfamiliar surroundings. What is the Best Bedding for Guinea Pigs? The larger the size of the litter, the shorter the time they could stay inside in the same area where a smaller litter could stay longer. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. This is an emergency situation requiring an immediate c-section. So how long are guinea pigs pregnant? Small litters do not cause the belly to enlarge significantly, and will not be as noticeable. Pregnancy is risky for female guinea pigs, particularly for those older than 8 months and younger than 3 months and sows over the age of 2 years who have already had 2 litters. Enter search terms to find related veterinary topics, multimedia and more. Clean the water bottle weekly to prevent the build-up of algae and bacteria. But thats wrong! Guinea pigs should be split into same-sex groups at 3 weeks old. Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? While a female guinea pig is in estrus and he spends time with her overnight, results in her pregnancy. Individual pet owners should not attempt to breed guinea pigs, according to experts, for two very important reasons: For older guinea pigs, this may include her carrying out her pregnancy and birth housed at the vets, as she is more likely to need intervention. The ultrasound exam involves involves clipping a small square of fur and applying gel to the exposed skin. So they recover pretty quickly. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1-0');The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) can be a helpful natural contraceptive in case of humans for a brief period after the birth of a child. Even though having a vet all the time is not convenient. However, toxemia is in part a lack of sugar, so keeping sugar levels high is important. Neutered boars should be kept separate from sows for four weeks after surgery. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. I have been given an 8 week old guinea pig that is pregnant, and her half-sister. The average number of days female guinea pigs stay pregnant is 65 days. Four read more . The towels should be changed at least twice a day. If the food has been stored for a while at the retail outlet, the chances are the vitamin C content is already negligible by the time you open the bag. 2 Observe her eating habits. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Stage #2. The pups will be able to eat solid food from day one, and the mother will introduce them to new food herself. Your pregnant sow will also need more vitamin C after 4 weeks, about twice as much, so incorporate more fresh fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C into her diet. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. When they reach about 6 ounces (170 g), the offspring will stop nursing and eat the same foods as their parents. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. Feed your guinea pig alfalfa hay instead of timothy hay so that she gets more protein and calcium. However, be aware that other things can feel like bumps in the abdomen. Does anybody have like weekly signs of guinea pig pregnancy like week one no sights week two they eat more something like that thanks .